Apple Patent Adds Zoom Lens to Camera Module

While Apple uses a relatively small 8 megapixel camera on its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but the shooter is among the best smartphone snappers on the market. The company takes the photography side of its handset seriously and is taking things a step further with a new patent. Apple applied for and was awarded a patent for a new type of mobile camera technology that would add a zoom lens to the module.

Of course, getting a true zoom lens into the small chassis of a smartphone is not exactly easy, but Cupertino has found a solution. Apple's engineers envision an L-shaped camera module where the sensor will face on a non-direct angle. The light will now enter into a triangular pyramid glass and beam light back down the L shaped module and into the zoom lens.

Apple is also working hard on optical image stabilization (OIS), while will now be aided by the module itself. The L shaped module will feature a folding mirror that will float and be able to move around inside the device to absorb shakes and bumps.

Of course, because Apple has patented this tech it does not mean we will necessarily see it ever, although this is the kind of tech that could easily go into production. Don't expect to see it on this year's Apple smartphones though.

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Luke JonesLuke Jones is the Managing Editor at MobileBurn.com and is the person you need to speak to about the content on the site. Luke studied creative writing at degree level before carving out a reputation as a freelance tech writer. He settled here at MobileBurn, where he reviews devices and contributes to the news, as well as overseeing the site's content and direction.